To clarify the
relationship between the Town of Chesterton and Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc.,
Town Council Member Jim Ton, R-1st, read the following statement at Monday’s
meeting, after noting that “some people have a different impression of
what’s happening.”

The statement in
full:

“This spring the
Chesterton Town Council became aware of the need to provide a rescue system
for unwanted, unplanned, or abandoned infants. Subsequently, after due
deliberation and research, the council voted unanimously this summer to
contract with Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc. for the lease of such a system. Any
questions regarding the manufacture, production, technical characteristics,
or nature of its specific operations should be referred to Save Haven Baby
Boxes Inc.

“Public inquiries
for monetary contributions toward the cost of the installation or
maintenance of the Safe Haven Baby Boxes may be referred to Council Member
Jim Ton or Fire Chief John Jarka.”

Two weeks ago the
Chesterton Tribune reported that the town had received $800 in
donations toward the cost of the infant rescue device. Since then,
additional contributions have been made:

* Duneland Exchange
Club: $500.

* Parishioners for
Life, St. Patrick Catholic Church: $500.

* St. Francis
Episcopal Church, $475.

* Michael and Nancy
Anton: $100.

* Walter and Jill
Burns: $25.

The one-time cost
of installing the system is $10,000, plus an annual fee of $200 to cover any
upgrades to the device and a $40 monthly fee for alarm monitoring.

Spark in the Park

In other business,
the council heard from Zeno Rossetti, organizer of the Spark in the Park
event on Oct. 7 in Thomas Centennial Park, who expressed his gratitude to
the town but in particular to Park Superintendent Bruce Mathias. Rossetti
said that Mathias made himself remarkably available and useful and the
event’s huge success is in part due to him.

More than 500
people attended the event--which in fact was a trial run for a much larger
fire festival in the fall of 2019--and some 14 fire spinners were on hand to
dazzle the crowds.

Right now, Rossetti
said. “We’re thinking of a lot of ways to make the event twice as good next
year.”

Member Emerson
DeLaney, R-5th, for his part, had nothing but good things to say about Spark
in the Park. “It was great. The way you had everything laid out, roped off.
Yeah, it was great.”

Hooked on Art

Meanwhile, Ty
Walker of Frontline Foundations Inc. appeared on Monday to express his
appreciation to both the Park and Police departments for their assistance at
the Hooked on Art-Live Street Art Fest in Thomas Park in September. “We had
a great year and we appreciate the help.”

Walker also wanted
to reserve the use of Thomas Park for Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, but was
referred to the Park Board.

“Thanks for looking
ahead,” Ton said. “And thanks for all the work you do for this community.
It’s much appreciated.”

Donnelly on Tree
City USA

Clerk-Treasurer
Stephanie Kuziela took a moment to read a note from U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly,
D-Ind., congratulating the town for its 22nd annual Tree City USA
designation, awarded to Chesterton last April.

Trick-or-Treat

DeLaney took a
moment at the end of the meeting to remind folks from roughly 3:45 to 6:15
p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, there will be two road closures in the Downtown, as
part of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce’s Family Trick-or-Treat: Broadway
between South Calumet Road and Third Street; and South Calumet Road between
West Indiana Ave. and Wabash Ave. DeLaney noted that last year an estimated
1,000 folks attended the event.

DeLaney also
reminded folks that trick-or-treat in the town at large is scheduled from
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31.